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Behind The Scenes Of NCIS: Los Angeles

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – NCIS: LA is one of the hottest television shows around and the two stars of the show may be one of the reasons why.

CBS4's Lisa Petrillo was recently in Los Angeles on the set of NCIS: LA with LL Cool J and Chris O'Donnell.

"You know you're in Hollywood, actually at the famed Paramount Studios back lot where nothing is as it seems. On one side, it's about Boston, across the street it's New York and behind we're in Mexico; the setting for today's big scene," described Petrillo as she showed off the backdrop of the studios.

"This is Hollywood and the beauty of what we do; is we get to take our imaginations and make it a reality for people and let them escape from the everyday drama and reality shows and come into our fantasy world where our characters represent people that truly exist. It's so it's cool," said LL Cool J, who plays Special Agent Sam Hanna.

LL cool J's character is a former U.S. Navy seal who has teamed with Special Agent Callen, played by Chris O'Donnell, a chameleon who transforms himself into whomever he needs to be to infiltrate the criminal underworld.

CLICK HERE to watch Lisa Petrillo's report

"What is it like season after season to see your characters grow?" Petrillo asked Chris O'Donnell.

"It's the first time I've been on a show, when you do it so many years, you learn more and more about your character every episode. The little tidbits added to this story you're building. That's been a great experience," O'Donnell said.

Big action scenes are a huge part of this show, and for the actors, it's also a big perk.

"He's a former Navy Seal. He's not playing! Runs and guns are blazing and your man Sam Hanna is on the job!" said LL.

"That's the fun part. We're running around, jumping off buildings, and driving cars, shooting guns. It's playing games as kids only we are doing it as adults now. It's not a bad gig at all," said O'Donnell.

Both men talked about their off and on screen chemistry.

"Me and Chris get along very well," said LL. "We're very much opposites. Chris is all about golf and Jimmy Buffett and I'm all about basketball and rap music so it's a beautiful compliment."

"What do you have to say about that?" Petrillo asked O'Donnell, referring to LL's statement.

"You know what, He's full of it. You know he's at home chipping and putting in his backyard listening to Jimmy Buffett," joked O'Donnell." Look he's already wearing Hawaiian shirts. I know he has Margaritaville in his iPod."

Whatever they are listening to, the men of NCIS: LA are certainly making music happen on television in its new time slot, Monday nights at 10pm on CBS4.

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